2, 3. Ancient,antiquated,antique,old-fashioned refer to something dating from the past. Ancient implies existence or first occurrence in a distant past: an ancient custom.Antiquated connotes something too old or no longer useful: an antiquated building.Antique suggests a curious or pleasing quality in something old: antique furniture.Old-fashioned may disparage something as being out of date or may approve something old as being superior: an old-fashioned hat; old-fashioned courtesy.

Specifically, in history, "belonging to the period before the fall of the Western Roman Empire" (and contrasted with medieval and modern). In English law, "from before the Norman Conquest." Ancient of Days is from Dan. vii:9. Related: Anciently.

n.

"standard-bearer," 1550s, a corruption of ensign. Archaic, but preserved in Shakespeare's character Aunchient Pistoll in "Henry V."